Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.

Then also pretexts for seizing property are never wanting, and one who begins to live by rapine will always find some reason for taking the goods of others, whereas causes for taking life are rarer and more quickly destroyed.

The ends justifies the means.

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.